In the 1870s Mexican performers caught the eye of American audiences. This propelled them into performing multiple plays a day for multiple audiences, thus the spread of Mexican American theatre.
Luis Valdez prompted the creation of the Chicano Theatre. He began by expressing Mexican-American culture through his writings. However, he also highlighted some discrimination faced by many Mexican-Americans, especially in the local area. The Chicano theatre was founded in the 16th century, during the civil rights movement. Though the theatre was originally focused around bringing Spanish religion to large audiences through performance, it was quickly able spread across the U.S. upon the invention of the railroad. Now, the theatre was used to deliver a different message. This message was one of social reform. In 1960s there was a large focus on cultural prejudice. Often times, plays would incorporate both Spanish and English language within the scripts. Heritage of all kinds could be celebrated, and many different communities were brought together in the watching of these stories.
Cuban-American theatre began in the early 19th century. Immigrant communities in New York and Florida put on many of these productions. They focused on ‘melodramas’ and ‘blackface farces’. By the early 20th century, these productions had grown in popularity throughout the Hispanic community. After the Cuban revolution in 1859, the plays began to reflect the struggles and victories that occurred during that time.
Hispanic theatre is a large reflection of Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican culture. Again, this theatre was originally focused on religious expansion but developed for a broader audience to focus on civil rights. The three main categories that encompass Hispanic theatre are the Chicano theatre, the Nuyorican theatre, and the Cuban-American theatre. Although these theatres all stem from Hispanic origins, they differ in what aspects of culture they represent, as well as how much American influence is reflected in these stories.
Puerto Rican theatre is another branch of theatre where immigrants have had a desire to maintain their culture and heritage. As opposed to the other forms of theatre, Puerto Rican theatre has been less influenced by American culture throughout the times. The civil rights movement, along with the agricultural revolution, allowed this theatre to expand passed its roots into more modern works. Many immigrants desired to work in the agricultural industry, thus prompting a large migration of people who carried their culture with them, and wanted to maintain it in their new country. Along with their roots, the plays reflected the struggles these people faced upon their migration. To raise more awareness of these issues, the theatre began using street presentations, which involved a public audience in their plays. Plays revolving around NY life and island life have remained popular among Puerto Rican theatre companies along with the Puerto Rican community themselves.
Luis Valdez prompted the creation of the Chicano Theatre. He began by expressing Mexican-American culture through his writings. However, he also highlighted some discrimination faced by many Mexican-Americans, especially in the local area. The Chicano theatre was founded in the 16th century, during the civil rights movement. Though the theatre was originally focused around bringing Spanish religion to large audiences through performance, it was quickly able spread across the U.S. upon the invention of the railroad. Now, the theatre was used to deliver a different message. This message was one of social reform. In 1960s there was a large focus on cultural prejudice. Often times, plays would incorporate both Spanish and English language within the scripts. Heritage of all kinds could be celebrated, and many different communities were brought together in the watching of these stories.
Cuban-American theatre began in the early 19th century. Immigrant communities in New York and Florida put on many of these productions. They focused on ‘melodramas’ and ‘blackface farces’. By the early 20th century, these productions had grown in popularity throughout the Hispanic community. After the Cuban revolution in 1859, the plays began to reflect the struggles and victories that occurred during that time.
Hispanic theatre is a large reflection of Mexican, Cuban, and Puerto Rican culture. Again, this theatre was originally focused on religious expansion but developed for a broader audience to focus on civil rights. The three main categories that encompass Hispanic theatre are the Chicano theatre, the Nuyorican theatre, and the Cuban-American theatre. Although these theatres all stem from Hispanic origins, they differ in what aspects of culture they represent, as well as how much American influence is reflected in these stories.
Puerto Rican theatre is another branch of theatre where immigrants have had a desire to maintain their culture and heritage. As opposed to the other forms of theatre, Puerto Rican theatre has been less influenced by American culture throughout the times. The civil rights movement, along with the agricultural revolution, allowed this theatre to expand passed its roots into more modern works. Many immigrants desired to work in the agricultural industry, thus prompting a large migration of people who carried their culture with them, and wanted to maintain it in their new country. Along with their roots, the plays reflected the struggles these people faced upon their migration. To raise more awareness of these issues, the theatre began using street presentations, which involved a public audience in their plays. Plays revolving around NY life and island life have remained popular among Puerto Rican theatre companies along with the Puerto Rican community themselves.